Bangladesh fans protest following Italy-based Fahamedul Islam's exclusion from AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers' squad

Fahamedul Islam plays for Serie-D club Olbia Calcio 1905

As Bangladesh prepare to take on India in Shillong for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, tensions have risen among their passionate supporters. The exclusion of young prodigy Fahamedul Islam from the national squad has sparked widespread protests across the country. Disappointed fans, led by the Bangladesh Football Ultras, took to the streets, voicing their frustration over coach Javier Cabrera’s decision.

The chants of “Down with Syndicate. Save Football.” echoed through the protests, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction with the team’s selection process. The omission of Fahamidul, the 18-year old young teenage sensation, despite his recent form, has left many angered by this decision.

With Fahamidul not being recalled for the crucial fixture, pressure continues to mount on the coaching staff. Bangladesh will now have to focus on the upcoming battle against India, knowing that fan discontent could impact team morale. With the stakes high and emotions running strong, the atmosphere in Shillong is set to be intense as both teams look to secure their spot in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and kickstart the campaign on a positive note.

Who is Fahamedul Islam?

Fahamedul Islam, an 18-year-old midfield prodigy from Feni, Bangladesh, has been making waves with his footballing journey in Italy. Having honed his skills at renowned academies like Sampdoria and Spezia, he currently plays for Olbia Calcio in the fourth division of Italian football. Given his rapid development, it was a pleasant surprise when he received a call-up to Bangladesh’s preliminary squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

Agun Demand 🔥K/Bangladesh's students terror wing warns BFF President & Coach Cabrera to include Italian 4th Div Diaspora footballer Fahamedul back in squad otherwise they will deliver swift justice & hold the Team Bus with players captive till demands are met🌻#FAFO #Hamas pic.twitter.com/3X3Zzg3ZkC

— Mr. FAFO 🌻💣 (@Fafo_xyz) March 19, 2025

His omission from the final squad came as an unexpected decision, leaving both supporters and analysts baffled. With his return to Italy to continue his club career, speculation arose about whether tactical considerations or other factors influenced his exclusion. The backlash from Bangladeshi fans has been intense, with many believing that a player of his potential deserved a place in the squad.

What did gaffer Cabrera said?

Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera acknowledged Fahamedul Islam’s talent, emphasizing that the youngster possesses immense potential but still requires experience before being fully ready for senior international football.

He said, “Fahamedul did not travel to Dhaka. He spent a week with us in Saudi Arabia. He is a talented player, but he needs more time,” as quoted by the Business Standard

Cabrera explained that while Fahamedul had a brief stint in the national team camp in Saudi Arabia, he did not travel to Dhaka for further training. The coach believes that despite his evident abilities, he needs more time to mature and adapt to the demands of international football.

Possible reasons for exclusion from the team manager

Adding to this, Bangladesh team manager Amer Khan shed light on the tactical reasons behind his exclusion. According to Khan, Fahmidul struggled to fully adapt to the versatile role the coach had envisioned for him. While his individual performances were promising, other players in the squad were deemed better suited to the team’s immediate needs.

He said, “We went to Saudi Arabia with 28 players, but the squad for the India match will be 23. As far as I know, the coach has a different plan for the match against India, and that’s why Fahamedul isn’t going,” as quoted by the Business Standard

Consequently, the coaching staff made the difficult decision to leave him out of the final squad, prioritizing more experienced and tactically adaptable players for the crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier fixtures.

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